Discipline: Business
CAT-Office Technologies
 Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Business 58


COURSE DESCRIPTION
58 Marketing the Virtual Office
Same as: CAT-Office Technologies 58
 Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): None.

Advisory: CAT 57 and CAT 76A or CAT 76B
Identifies and evaluates various employment marketing techniques such as networking face-to-face, virtual interviews, associating with professional organizations, developing flyers and brochures, developing a professional Internet site, and using Web-based resources. The course is a core requirement of the Virtual Assistant certificate program. 54 hours of lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Identify and evaluate various techniques to secure employment as a virtual assistant. Topics include networking, virtual interviews, and development of Web marketing resources.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Create an effective marketing plan. 
    

Analyze the current job market. 
     

Assess and "package" student skills for marketing.

Organize a network directory.

Examine professional Virtual Assistant organizations on the Internet.

Demonstrate interpersonal online skills.

Create a personal budget and projections based on financial scenarios.

Create a Web site to market Virtual Assistant services.

Prepare an electronic "portfolio" to market skills.

Summarize legal and ethical considerations of the Virtual Assistant.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. The course content should assist students with the identification and evaluation of various marketing techniques such as developing a marketing plan, networking, virtual interviews, associating with professional organizations, developing fliers and brochures, developing a professional Internet site, and using Web-based resources.
  2. The instructor should explain the importance of developing both simple and detailed marketing plans for uses in attaining business loan and clarifying marketing initiatives and goals.
  3. Virtual assistants need to learn the fine art of networking. Students should be guided in organizing a networking directory, researching contacts, using mailing lists, and word of mouth referrals.
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Develop and assign online/distance learning activities such as Webquests, Web site reviews, Internet presentations, viewing of online presentations in order to create an effective marketing plan.
  • Create and have students participate in cooperative learning tasks such as small group or paired role play in order to demonstrate interpersonal online skills.
  • Present class lectures and demonstrations instruct students to create a personal budget and projections based on financial scenarios.
  • Assign online/distance learning tasks/activities such as Webquests and Web site reviews in order to create a Web site to market Virtual Assistant services.
  • Develop and assign online/distance learning tasks/activities such as Webquests, Web site reviews, and discussion posting in order to prepare an electronic “portfolio” to market skills.
  • Develop and assign online class exercises such as drills and practice quizzes and short essay assignments in order to summarize legal and ethical considerations of the Virtual Assistant.
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Written reports in order to demonstrate the creation of an effective marketing plan.
  • Online presentations designed to demonstrate online interpersonal skills.
  • Written reports to demonstrate the ability to create a personal budget and projections based on financial scenarios.
  • Online presentations designed to demonstrate the creation of a Web site to market Virtual Assistant services.
  • Individual online presentations designed to present an electronic portfolio to be used to market skills.
  • Online written online summaries designed to summarize the legal and ethical consideration so of the Virtual Assistant.
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Sweeney, Susan. 101 Ways to Promote Your Website. Maximum Press, 1999.
  • Kent, Peter and Tara Calishain. Poor Richard’s Internet Marketing & Promotions: How to Promote Yourself, Your Business, & Your Ideas Online (Poor Richard’s Series). Top Floor Publications, 1999.
  • Jamison, Michelle. The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to Marketing: The VA Approach to Marketing Your Services. Word Association Publishers, 2003.
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